When Andy Farrell announced his coaching team for the British and Irish Lions tour, it’s likely very few would have seen the announcement of Richard Wigglesworth coming.
Six Months ago, there were shoots starting to appear, but England’s attack never quite looked like an attack, more individual moments, and it was unclear how much any of this was really down to Wigglesworth.
But the truth is, whilst defence remains a constant work on, England has shown significant improvement in their attack over the past year.
For example, they matched or improved all their attacking metrics. 22 entries aside, they ranked better in 2025 than 2024 in points scored, tries scored, try assists, line breaks and metres gained and though 22 entries remained the same, there was still a significant improvement in their efficiency in their opponent’s Red Zone.
Under Eddie Jones, England’s attacking performance was probably at its peak in 2019, achieving an average conversion rate of 3.83 points per 22 entries. Since then, there has been a steady decline, reaching a low of 2.22 under Borthwick during the 2023 Six Nations and 2.45 in the 2024 tournament, respectively. Though looking great at times, England just couldn’t convert promise into points.
But this year it seems a corner has been turned, England’s attack jumping to 3.65 per entry.
This is replicated across other attacking metrics, such as average carries per point and try.
And Line break conversion.
In contrast, Scotland, who are often lauded as the all-singing, all-dancing attacking side, the Blueprint for the B&I Lions, finished below the less “inspiring teams” in the 6 Nations.
Not just in table position, but in points, Tries and Try assists for the last two tournaments.
Their points 22 entry efficiency at 2.17 points per 22 entry (average) sits as the worst in the tournament, and their worst since 2020.
Putting Scotland aside, what this indicates to me is that England is a team starting to find its feet in attack.
There are a few reasons for this. It is unlikely a coincidence that the departure of Felix Jones, though seen as a huge loss for the team, has probably given renewed focus to Richard Wigglesworth as attack coach. Though Jones was with England as defence coach, it’s well known he works both sides of the ball, and while this isn’t to say Jones was a problem, it’s known there was friction in the camp and a clash of styles.
With Wigglesworth heading off to Oz for the B&I Lions tour as attack coach, the rewards of England’s renewed attacking prowess are clear to see
The second and more easily recognisable change, though is, I think, due to the arrival of Fin Smith at 10. His combination with Mitchell, although still inexperienced, brings a sense of stability to the English attack.
With Marcus Smith the incumbent and media darling, England appeared caught between style and substance; it could look amazing, and when it clicked,d it was brilliant to watch, but it also maybe didn’t click enough for this level of Rugby.
With the introduction of Fin Smith this redirection to cohesion and structure over style is why, I believe, we saw a better-attacking display from England. It is also, I feel, the impetus for the re-introduction of players like Ford and Daly to the bench and starting 15 as opposed to moving Marcus Smith up from 15 later in the game, as England had previously done.
That, coupled with the dynamism of players like Earl, Ben Curry, Pollock and the re-emergence of Stuart, Genge and Itoje as attacking weapons upfront, we saw a level of structure to the attack we haven’t seen since Jones’s proteges took a run at the 2019 World Cup.
A key to England’s attack is that players are getting over the gain line, as demonstrated by the significant increase in metres gained, from 1815 to 2221.
England was the best team in the Six Nations in terms of Metres deficit *.
In essence, they made more metres than they conceded:
England: +0.51
France: +0.46
Italy: +0.27
Wales: -0.02
Ireland: -0.21
Scotland: -0.97
*stats courtesy of Simon Gleave
This is a significant stat. It means England moved forward in attack, and that makes everything easier. We saw an attack that suddenly had space to play in. That brought more vision and options for the playmakers. Players came onto the ball, able to strike through defences rather than being met by them, the result being 8 more line breaks than previously.
I guess the point is that while there may be a belief that the Maverick wins out in attack, these game-changers get the results. The truth of it is you can’t build consistent performance on that basis. You need players who understand their role in the machine and consistency helps build a team where all are confident in their goal, and how to get it.
Being able to repeatedly do it at this level is the important thing, and will create a far superior attacking weapon to one that is totally reactive in its execution.
Roebuck to the Front
As it stands, if there was one try in the 6 Nations, I think showed how far England has come. This was their 2nd Try vs Wales by Tom Roebuck.
For my mind it is a perfect example of the large steps forward England took.
Though the Six Nations has become more competitive in recent years, the odd blowout still happens. This year, Italy lost by 73 points to a rampant France, and England overwhelmed Wales with a 10-try rout built on a ferocious opening 10 minutes.
Despite the substantial progress Italy has made under Quesada, they remain the sure bet to beat for most teams. This year, Wales joined them at the foot of the table, struggling to achieve consistency in their performances.
Unfortunately for them both, despite signs of progress through the tournament, they seem to have met a France and England side who took significant steps forward on attack this year.
The first two scores against Wales demonstrated both aspects of England’s attack. The first showcased their physical strength, followed by a clever play that put Wales in a 14-point hole they could never overcome.
Straight out of the playbook, it’s a simple yet clinical attack with some interesting details that show how scripted this was and give England an edge.
Often you’ll see the 2 come in and look to set before peeling away – it’s become standard and predictable.
Here, instead Itoje moves forward drawing that attention. His coming forward interests the defence for a fraction of a second, “is he going to jump at 4?”.
Instead, as he pops out to receive, Wales realise he isn’t a jumping option and engage, not risking the drive from a fast catch and set.
But here is where the details start to count. Instead, England goes off the top to Mitchell, but watch how Itoje and Curry (at the top of his jump) communicate. Itoje see’s Wales are engaging and indicates off the top.
It’s not much, just a little nod to go for it.
Then we focus in on Ben Curry and how he gets in front of Wainwright, tracking straight to the first Ruck.
He has two roles here, stop Wainwright from flooding through on Mitchell, then securing the ruck.
Because he understands what’s happening, he is able to get ahead and beat both Wainwright and Jenkins to the next ruck.
That off-the-top ball and the fact the Welsh pack is pulled tight allows Mitchell to attack the line and fire the ball flat to Daly right on the gain line.
We can see how flat Daly takes the ball from the overhead.
England is already moving forward and Daly’s carry takes both Ainscombe and Morgan, the main Jackal threat, out of the subsequent defensive line.
Now, watch how Dingwall clears long past the ruck, it’s illegal, but it takes Dee out of as a threat. That outside shoulder clean also slows Jenkins fold, leaving players under his feet he has to navigate around, or in this case over.
Earl carries with Freeman as first the tip on option and then assisting on the clear.
With both Morgan and Dee out as a threat, we can see Cowan Dickie now getting into Wainwright. Wales’s main Jackal threats all out of the game for the next phase.
Again an out to in clearing motion causes an extension to the ruck and if we flip to the reverse angle we can see how Wainwright has to work back and around the ruck, slowing the fold and subsequent set down.
That 2nd phase has depleted Wales’s defence, getting England to the opposite edge of their defence, and we can also see England has effectively created a 4vs 3, with Roebuck out of shot.
The best Wales can do is mirror up in defence and force an error.
With the speed of the ball, we can see England are way over the gain line and all the Welsh defenders are turned in watching the ball.
If you also look far side we can see how England has maintained their attacking width and numbers on the far side, they aren’t burning resources needlessly and are getting ready to come back and stretch Wales to the opposite side if needed.
That also impacts Mee, as he shows reluctance to follow the ball on the flow, looking to see if England snap back to the left.
This is how Roebuck remains unmarked as Murray has stepped in, there is no 15 to take the last man.
And as the ball comes out, it’s too late for him to effectively make up the ground lost.
The England forwards arriving late means the inside defence can’t be lazy and drift early and Smith attacked the 1st wide defender.
Smith’s line stopped the defence sliding early as they had to hold on to him as he drifted out, and that left Murray defending 15m on his own and stopped him from reacting early to the threat of Roebuck wide.
England is now playing under advantage, so Smith can risk the big pass to Roebuck.
Murray does well to recover but as he is coming across and round he’s only able to get a passive low tackle in and that allows Roebuck to keep his legs moving and drag Murray with him with Mee arriving too late.
It’s a fantastic try using a phase map to get England in front of the key Welsh threats. Everyone has a good idea of what role they can step into play, and that in turn allows the ball to be recycled quickly and keep momentum up.
In many ways reminds me of England’s opening try vs the All Blacks in the 2019 Semi Final. Just a perfect blend of power, pace, structure and the ability of players to see and step outside that structure.
The English way that has maybe been missing whilst they looked for their identity?
The interesting thing here is Wales had improved rapidly under Matt Sherrat, understandable as the focus shifted from developing a long term team to just trying to get the results, and it’s just unfortunate this coincided with England finally hitting their stride.
If you’ve played any level of sport, you’ve probably been on the end of a trashing. It hurts, as a player and as a coach. You’ve worked hard all week and for whatever reason the game has just exploded in the wrong direction for you.
It happens, but there isn’t anything you can do about it, and that’s the approach Wales will have to take towards it. They can’t change it, they need to look forward from here, eyes front facing.
England will be well positioned to do the same.
Author: The Dead Ball Area
